Here are some Suzuki violin (but good for any instrument) tips and teaching points for your daily practicing sessions at home. I welcome your own personal suggestions, opinions, and testimonials. I greatly appreciate your comments and feedback on these articles.

Violin Strings 101: The brand of strings I use and a tutorial on types of violin strings.

This a great example of great phrasing, and that TONE! I like it at this speed. Those who want to "show off" at 1.5X the printed speed can't come up with the marvelous depth of this interpretation, which needs this tempo and much﻿ more. Zukerman gives it all here in this truly beautiful rendition of such a popular concerto.

I often see that successful music students and parents always manage to be well prepared for performances, auditions, and weekly lessons. They always have what they need when it comes to books, accessories, and all that's needed to have a nice lesson time. But even the best well-intentioned student and parent may forget a thing or two that should be in their music tote bag. Even Yehudi Menuhin, the famous violinist of the twentieth century wrote in one of his books about what every violinist should have in his/her violin case.

For starters, here is a "musician's tote bag kit" for you to think about:

All music books needed, including Suzuki repertoire, etudes, scales, sight reading, music theory

Music to listen to (iPod, CD player, etc.) - There will be time riding/waiting... why waste it?

String Players, please add these:

Extra Strings - I cannot over emphasize this. GET EXTRA STRINGS, They WILL brake some day!

Shoulder rest (if applicable). Again... I have seen too many violin and viola players forgetting their shoulder rest that I have to write it again: Shoulder rest!

ROSIN!

Cleaning cloth

Nail Clipper (yes, again, I know)

Tuner/Metronome

Cello Pin Stop/Strap (if applicable)

Cello Chair/Bench (if applicable)

Peg compound

I am sure that getting all these applicable accessories and necessities will make your practicing more consistent, successful and pleasant. It will at least impless your music teacher when an emergency comes up.

Here is a number of audio tutorials to practice your Suzuki violin exercises. You can tap into those and use them for your daily home practice. If you haven't seen the resources page yet, I would recommend you to take a look at the various audio tutorials, practicing charts, and tips contained in the resources page.

Particularly, there is a number of beginning pre-twinkle audio tutorials, along with a practice chart, metronome implementation, etc.

The problem with review is NOT that students don't want to do it. It is that it's difficult to do it consistently throughout the Suzuki repertoire.

"Bucket" Review Technique:

Write all the pieces' names on separate pieces of paper (or better yet, ping-pong balls), put them in a "bucket". Everyday, have your violinist draw a few pieces of paper (or ping-pong balls) one at a time, reviewing each one, then, put the ones played in a second bucket.

When you're through, change buckets and go through them again. When your child learns a new piece, add a new paper or ball with its name to the bucket. You can also include all of the pieces in the current book, and have your child LISTEN to it when it comes in the drawing.

This is the easiest way to "hit" all of the pieces before the "favorites" get played more, letting the others get relegated.

One of the most challenging tasks for a young child in learning the violin is to stay concentrated long enough to stay in place and hold the instrument. Here are some fun exercises that have proven highly successful for keeping pre-Twinklers on task and improve concentration skills.